Heavy rains leave thousands homeless in the Dominican Republic

The Caribbean nation has been soaked for weeks by relentless downpours that show no sign of stopping soon. Over 30, 000 families have had to abandon their homes in the northern provinces as water keeps rising. Three lives have been lost in separate incidents linked to the flooding—a child trying to cross a swollen river, a young man on horseback swept away nearby, and a baby in the capital when a house wall gave way. Emergency teams report nearly 6, 100 buildings underwater, with roads and bridges torn apart by the pressure. Five provinces plus the capital now operate under a state of emergency as the government scrambles to protect people and property. Officials urge everyone to avoid flood-hit zones even if the danger seems distant.Meteorologists trace the problem to a stubborn weather system parked over the northeast, dumping rain daily since mid-March. With the ground already waterlogged, every new shower adds to the crisis. Forecasters expect a brief break before another round arrives by the weekend. Neighbors like Puerto Rico brace for their own trouble as heavy weather heads that way. Authorities there warn city streets could turn into rivers within hours.